Advanced Instrumentation Concepts and Their Application to Nuclear Power Plants
Abstract
The characteristics of computer based instrumentation, or smart instruments, are investigated. Computer based instruments are distinguished by their ability to include a more complex model of the physical processes influencing the desired measurement than is possible with conventional instrument. Smart instrumentation is described with emphasis on illustrating its ability to improve data collection, storage, display, and evaluation. The application considerations of redundancy, consistency, noise, and filtering are also addressed. As an application example, a smart instrument for measuring steam generator water level in a pressurized water reactor is designed. A model, accounting for the important processes affecting level measurement is developed. An error exists in the computation the fluid shear stresses, but the model calculations remain illustrative of those pertinent to smart instrument design. The model is stable for both steady state and transient conditions, but there are restrictions on the rate of the transient. Simulated level data is used to compare a simplified level instrument with the smart level instrument. The smart instrument is more accurate, but not by more than one percent. Methods that could be used by a smart instrument to recover from operation outside its model assumptions are discussed. Finally, recommendations are made for future work.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA245056
Entities
People
- Ralph T. Soule
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology